Community: Montecito's Monica Epstein
Name: Monica Epstein
Profession: Founder of Ysidro
Location: Montecito, CA
Tell us a little about your background.
My husband went to UCSB and said it was the happiest time in his life. So we came up...It was a trust exercise that worked.
Ysidro has been referred to as the drink of Montecito. How did you get to this point?
Santa Barbara is a supportive community. We really help our own. We suggest each others' products and services. I think the thoughtful packaging speaks to SB. It's also a little bit of an insider nod. Before I have even finished the story about why it is pink, locals already know where the pink came from.
What do you love most about your job?
I love that I am involved in and selling is an honest product. There isn’t anything about Ysidro that I’m not proud of. Loving and believing in what consumes you, actually gives you energy.
As a frequent traveler and someone who appreciates different cultures, how has your travel experiences shaped your approach to slow living and your brand Ysidro?
It sounds crazy but slow living didn’t occur to me until lockdowns. I loved the pace so much and now I refuse to let go. No matter how much demand circles Ysidro, I find balance. I work on weekends and evenings but it feels stretched out. Maybe slow living is a state of mind. I guess I have to credit Ericeira, Portugal with teaching me how to hit pause. There is nothing like sitting on a sun-drenched perch, wearing a borrowed sunhat and enjoying a dry Vihno Verde and tuna carpaccio at Mar Das Latas. Dreamy!
Describe the Santa Barbara lifestyle in a few words.
Salty, cozy, celebrated and expressed.
What's your favorite way to spend a weekend in Santa Barbara when you're not working on Ysidro?
Coffee is essential. I love to walk my dogs in the morning and check in on our beaches, have brunch at Lark, if it is a special day I get a cinnamon roll from Bree-osh, grab a lite afternoon bite, then go home freshen up and enjoy dinner with friends at Gala.
Do you have any advice or must dos for first time visitors to Santa Barbara?
Check the SB Bowl, Lobero and Arlington schedule, walk Lillie Ave in Summerland, enjoy a breakfast bite at Field & Fort, pop over the Funk Zone and go to the Blue Door to indulge in some vintage shopping, grab a pizza and salad at Lucky Penny, head over to the Canon Perdido/De La Guerra area then grab a glass of wine in the area between Jake & Jones and Warbler Records, watch the sun gown down from Butterfly Beach. If you are heading to a show enjoy a pre or post show drink at The Good Lion or the Pickle Room.
Monica's Recommendations
Zaytoon – 209 E Canon Perdido (downtown) Dinner is served around a firepit in this magically lit Middle Eastern restaurant.
Manor Bar, The Rosewood Miramar – 1759 S Jameson Ln (Montecito) It's always an entertaining scene on the weekends with live music.
SBIFF Riviera Theatre – 2044 Alameda Padre Sierra (Riviera) My favorite way to start the night at the Riviera Theatre is to take in the views from El Encanto before seeing an international film.
Andree Clark Bird Refuge -1100 East Cabrillo Blvd (East beach area) This is a great place to walk and observe birds and other wildlife from their viewing platforms.
Upstairs at Pierre Lafond – 516 San Ysidro Rd (Montecito) Wander around after grabbing a coffee downstairs, the sale stuff on the patio is always good.
Hot Springs Trail – East Mountain Dr (Montecito) Located on a historical site, the hot spring pools are tucked into a leafy canyon. Do some research and see if you can find one.
Full list of Monica's recs can be found in our Santa Barbara Guidebook!
